Children of the River

For someone who was born in the 1970’s, when this book took place, and who knew little of the Cambodians plight, Children of the River was a captivating book. Linda Crew’s story of Sundara, a teenaged Cambodian girl forced to flee her home country with her aunt and uncle was a well written tale of historical fiction. The story starts out happily enough with descriptions Sundara’s new baby cousin. However, the story quickly turns dark as the Khmer Rouge invade the village of Ream and Sundara’s family much evacuate with little more than their lives. Darker days come as the family falls ill on the boat and Sundara, at 13, is left to care for her newborn cousin. Sundara fights to keep the baby alive and as I read I too willed for her to survive. It’s not until chapters later that the reader discovers the baby died. The baby’s death could be symbolically viewed as the death of Sundara’s former life. Just as I hoped for the baby’s survival, I also hoped for Sundara’s happiness in America. Thankfully that wish came true.
Chapter 2, set several years later then the opening, finds Sundara in a high school in Oregon. The poem that she read in class touched me deeply. I think it neatly sums up the conflict she feels. As much as she struggles to find her place in this new world, Sundara cannot forget who she was and what she left behind when she lived in Cambodia. It is easy to imagine Jonathan being taken by Sundara after he hears her poem. The friendship and ensuing romance that blossoms are encouraging signs that Sundara will find her place in this new world.
Often times the immigrant experience is one where the person willingly leaves their homeland to find “the American Dream”. Children of the River provides students with the experience of a political refugee – a vastly different set of circumstances yet similar in issues of assimilation. This book highlights a time in American history that is often skimmed through in history classes. I think it would engage young and older readers alike. It certainly engaged me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It made me want to find out more about Cambodia, “boat people”, the Thai refugee camps and the Khmer Rouge. I’m not sure I would have done so if not for this book. Children of the River is a text that could be used in many ways; to teach about the conflicts of South East Asia, the struggle of assimilation of refugees and immigrants or a coming of age story. I think that all students (and adults) could find something to relate to with this story. I would highly recommend this book.